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Post by ebicks on Jan 21, 2014 19:09:58 GMT -7
Hey Everyone,
This is my first time posting but I've been checking out the forums here for some time! Lately I've been noticed that I'm getting a fairly loud hum/static sound from my Zwreck.. Even when I'm playing with the volume down around 9 o'clock. I only notice it when my guitars volume is up but I'm not actually playing. When my guitar volume is down it is still there but quieter. It get's louder as I crank the amp volume up as well. It almost sounds as if I have a high gain pedal clicked on, but really I'm just running clean into the amp. I've tried two different guitars and several different cables. Wondering if it might be a tube but don't want to spend the money on 4 power tubes if that's not it.. Anybody else find their Zwreck to be pretty loud like this? Is it normal? It seems to be too loud of a hum to be a normal thing.. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
Eric
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Post by Maddog on Jan 21, 2014 20:41:53 GMT -7
Is there a computer monitor or fluorescent lights nearby?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2014 20:48:49 GMT -7
How about a sound clip or video of said sound? Welcome to the forum!
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Post by randalp3000 on Jan 21, 2014 20:56:31 GMT -7
Are you using single coils?
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Post by jlowder23 on Jan 21, 2014 21:03:53 GMT -7
My wreck has a slight hum with all of my tele's because of the single coil pups. It gets even worse with a compressor pedal. Are you using any compression by chance?
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Post by ebicks on Jan 21, 2014 21:56:34 GMT -7
Thanks for the responses guys. There are no monitors or fluorescent lights nearby. I have also tried in it multiple rooms/buildings. I'm also not using a compressor or any effects, although I have compared it running through my pedal board and straight into the amp with zero pedals, and the volume of hum is exactly same in either situation. I've tried with my tele (single coils) and another guitar with humbuckers. It's definitely worse with the single coils but still decently loud with the humbucker guitar
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on Jan 21, 2014 22:12:32 GMT -7
Sounds like you may have to dip into tube land. Take a peak at the tubes when they're hot. Might be able to tell that way.
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Post by muZician on Jan 21, 2014 23:14:44 GMT -7
it seems a problem with the power supply part. either the rectifier tube or a capacitor. is your zwreck new? send it back for repair
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Post by ebicks on Jan 22, 2014 0:07:23 GMT -7
The tubes all look the same/light up normally from what I can tell. I bought my Zwreck in November 2011, so I believe it's still under the warranty (I think it's 3 years..). Just don't want to pay to ship it back from California if I don't have to! Ha ha. Maybe I will see if I can call somebody at Dr Z and get some additional info..
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Post by DRZ on Jan 22, 2014 4:39:08 GMT -7
Sounds like a bad TungSol pre-amp tube. Try swapping V1 and V3 let me know what happens. It's not a output tube, or a rectifier. V2 could also be the culprit, but V1 is always the first one I check.
Z
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Post by ebicks on Jan 22, 2014 17:22:19 GMT -7
Thanks for the response Doc!
I tried swapping V1 and V3, and the hum is a little quieter I think. But still has the same hum/static. I also tried swapping V2 and V3 to see what would happen but that didn't really seem to change anything. Does this mean I just need to replace the preamp tubes? Or is it something else?
Thanks!
Eric
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Post by BradPaisleyFan (Pat) on Jan 22, 2014 17:53:16 GMT -7
Some 12ax7's are cheaper to replace then output tubes...so at least that's good news.
I would just replace the preamp tubes and get them tested. It will never hurt to have them as back ups.
Ps: I still can't wrap my head around how down to earth Dr Z is. That is why I play Z amps and will never switch.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2014 18:15:55 GMT -7
Thanks for the response Doc! I tried swapping V1 and V3, and the hum is a little quieter I think. But still has the same hum/static. I also tried swapping V2 and V3 to see what would happen but that didn't really seem to change anything. Does this mean I just need to replace the preamp tubes? Or is it something else? Thanks! Eric Fwiw. My Mazerati has some his and hum like you mentioned. It's barely noticeable when playing or recording. Can you post a clip of said sound?
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Post by ebicks on Jan 24, 2014 16:33:17 GMT -7
Thanks for the replies guys! Going to order some new preamp tubes and hope that solves the issue. If not, then I will consider getting new power amp tubes. If I get some free time I may try to upload a short vid with the sound I'm talking about.
Eric
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Post by ebicks on Jan 29, 2014 13:47:33 GMT -7
Hi Guys just wanted to give you an update: I put in all new Tung Sol preamp tubes, but no change in the hum sound.. I don't have the cash to replace all the power tubes right now but may try to take a short video clip this week of the sound if I have some time.
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Post by cap217 on Jan 29, 2014 14:50:06 GMT -7
Just use your phone, record, upload to youtube, post link. You can get all that done in 3 minutes and we can help.
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Post by ebicks on Jan 29, 2014 19:15:03 GMT -7
I shot a video of it just now so you guys can hear what I'm talkin about! Here is the link:
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Post by ebicks on Jan 29, 2014 19:15:42 GMT -7
I've tried this is multiple rooms/buildings as well as multiple guitars and cables.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 20:29:29 GMT -7
Man that's strange. Sounds like 60 cycle hum or interference in the line. Perhaps a bad cap is the culprit?
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Post by bryan0418 on Jan 29, 2014 20:44:04 GMT -7
Are you running electric appliances like ranges or heat? Could be electrical noise on the line from dirty power maybe?
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Post by ebicks on Jan 29, 2014 20:50:44 GMT -7
I wasn't running any appliances at the time, but have tried it at another venue with completely isolated power and got the same thing. Enuggles, what is a bad cap?
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Post by cap217 on Jan 29, 2014 21:03:40 GMT -7
Sounds like a grounding issue to me. I'd say send it back to dr z and he will fix it. If you can, while the amp and guitar are on, tap the power tubes and the rectifier and see what happens. Actually, the first thing I change with noise issues is the rectifier. Change that out and see then report back. Take one from a. Different amp if you have one.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2014 21:08:30 GMT -7
I wasn't running any appliances at the time, but have tried it at another venue with completely isolated power and got the same thing. Enuggles, what is a bad cap? Call me Eric , Z Bro... Bad capacitor. Like mentioned above it very likely could be tube related. Which if so is an easy fix. If you decide to try new tubes order them from a reputable dealer Like: KCANOS, Dougs Tubes, The Tube Store. Total bummer man I hate when stuff flips out like that.
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Post by ebicks on Jan 29, 2014 22:04:41 GMT -7
I tapped all the tubes one by one and the rectifier with it on and guitar volume up but didn't hear anything at all. Cool, thanks Eric. My name is Eric too, haha. Yeah the preamp tubes I just bought were from the tube store. I guess the next course of action will be to order all new power amp tubes and a rectifier and see if that fixes it. If not, will have to ship to Z. I've also emailed a link to this page to the Dr Z repair email so that they can listen to the video and hopefully shed some light on this. I'd rather not spend $160 on new tubes if that's not the issue, ha ha.
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Post by muZician on Jan 30, 2014 0:00:50 GMT -7
Sounds like a grounding issue to me. I'd say send it back to dr z and he will fix it. If you can, while the amp and guitar are on, tap the power tubes and the rectifier and see what happens. Actually, the first thing I change with noise issues is the rectifier. Change that out and see then report back. Take one from a. Different amp if you have one. agree. it really sounds like a grounding issue. maybe a cold solder joint. i'd send the amp back to the doc
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Post by DRZ on Jan 30, 2014 4:03:30 GMT -7
The amp is dead quite with no guitar plugged in, then it's not a tube issue my friend . Maybe a bad input jack. The video was helpful as it eliminated things from being the cause but, I would need to bench the amp to check it. My first impression is a bad cord or guitar problem, but I know you stated that you tried different .
Email repairs@drzamps.com and request a RA form and get the amp back here so I can check it out.
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Post by DRZ on Jan 30, 2014 4:15:01 GMT -7
Also after re-reading the your posts, you have had the amp for over two years, is this something that just started? It work fine and all of sudden one day you woke up to noise? Anything done to the amp prior to the problem? The amp is quiet till you turn your guitar volume up, then the sound of fluorescent lights, that's not hum.
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Post by Maddog on Jan 30, 2014 4:31:03 GMT -7
Thanks for the video. I had that same issue (exact buzzing sound) many moons ago at a Christmas party. I thought it was due to the fact that I was standing next to a Christmas tree full of lights (in a old beer joint). However, the next day when I hooked up my rig at home it did the same buzzzzzz.
My problem: Guitar Center clerk sold me some new Monster cables the day before the gig. He sent me "speaker" cables instead of "instrument" cables.....Tiny print on the cables....makes a BIG difference Double check yer cables. Read the fine print on the cables make sure they say "instrument."
If it's not that, I'm going with shielding or grounding issues....
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Post by cap217 on Jan 30, 2014 7:25:54 GMT -7
Thanks for the video. I had that same issue (exact buzzing sound) many moons ago at a Christmas party. I thought it was due to the fact that I was standing next to a Christmas tree full of lights (in a old beer joint). However, the next day when I hooked up my rig at home it did the same buzzzzzz. My problem: Guitar Center clerk sold me some new Monster cables the day before the gig. He sent me "speaker" cables instead of "instrument" cables.....Tiny print on the cables....makes a BIG difference Double check yer cables. Read the fine print on the cables make sure they say "instrument." If it's not that, I'm going with shielding or grounding issues.... Yea that always does it. But he said he tried different cables all around. Dr is right as well bc it's not doing it when the guitar volume is off. Check cords again and check the jacks.
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Post by ebicks on Jan 30, 2014 11:28:42 GMT -7
Thanks for the response Doc. I don't think the sound has always been there, I've definitely noticed it a lot more over the last few months or so. Nothing has happened to the amp as far as I know, it's always been safe in my home and just taken out for probably under 10 gigs since I got it. Got a response from the repairs email telling me to call today, so I'll do that. Thanks! And yes the cables I've been using are definitely instrument cables. Thanks guys!
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